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Introduction

Rutland Boughton adapted his libretto from the fourteenth-century Coventry Nativity Play, as performed by the Shearman Taylors' Company, using Thomas Sharp's 1825 transcription of the surviving fifteenth- and sixteenth-century manuscripts. He made several cuts to sharpen up the action, and added certain well-known fifteenth-century carols for Mary and the Angels to sing. He also marked off each stage of the drama by a well-known Christmas carol. Deployed in much the same way as Bach used the chorale in his Passions, Tippett the spiritual in A Child of Our Time, and Britten popular hymns in Noye's Fludde, the carols form a powerful commentary on the action and relate it in a very personal way to the everyday experience of the listener. Each carol was originally intended to be sung by the audience in unison (as was done in 1915), but Boughton later elaborated them in the manner of the choral variations on British folksongs that had helped to make his name at the beginning of the century. The result is some of the most powerful and orginal carol arrangements that have ever been made.

Perhaps the most striking thing about the music of Bethlehem is its utter simplicity. Gone are all the Wagnerian trappings to be found in Boughton's earlier compositions. Everything is stripped to essentials — the cleansing influence being that of folksong, although, apart from the carols, only one actual example is used (to characterize Zarathustra at the beginning of Act Two). The rest is Boughton responding with artless sympathy and writing 'folksong' of his own to such purpose that Vaughan Williams found it hard to believe he had not indulged in a 'collecting' spree among the good folk of Glastonbury. For Herod, on the other hand, Boughton adopted a deliberately showy, vulgarly flamboyant style the better to suggest the empty pomposities of royalty. An extended ballet sequence (omitted in this recording) carried musical mockery perhaps a shade too far in an orgy of Brummagem orientalism more reminiscent of Ketelby's art than his own. The three Shepherds are delightfully characterized by Boughton's simulated folksong, while the Wise Men add touches of ragtime (for Nubar) and, for Merlin, a theme that he had already used to good effect in the first of his Arthurian dramas, The Birth of Arthur. His skill in combining the three Wise Men's themes, and, in the Herod scene, unexpectedly linking two very different carols, adds greatly to the excitement and dramatic impact of the score. Indeed, Bethlehem is the only one of Boughton's music dramas to make use of the ensemble. Nor is it without orchestral felicities. Scored only for a small orchestra, it is a model of subtle resource, limpid in its colouring and perfectly in keeping with the innocent story it is required to illustrate.

SynopsisAct one Choral Prelude: 'Earth today rejoices': Scene 1: The home of Mary and Joseph. The Angel Gabriel tells Mary that she has been chosen above all women to conceive and bear God's only son. Though frightened at first, Mary submits to the Lord's will. When, however, she tells Joseph what has happened he chides her for deceiving him and prepares to leave, but the Angel Gabriel reassures him of her innocence. Together they set out for Bethlehem.

Choral Interlude: 'In the ending of the year' Scene 2: A Moor at Night. The Shepherds Jem, Dave, and Sym see a great star and hear angel voices telling of the birth of a Saviour. Joyfully they set out to find the Holy child.

Choral Interlude: 'O come, all ye faithful' Scene 3: The Stable at Bethlehem. Mary sings a lullaby to the new-born child. The Shepherds present their simple gifts — a penny whistle, a hat, a pair of warm mittens — and go on their way rejoicing.

Choral Interlude: 'The Holly and the Ivy'

Act two Scene 1: Before the door of King Herod's palace in Jerusalem. Three Wise Men, Zarathustra, Nubar, and Merlin, meet. Each has followed the star and will now journey together to Bethlehem. A woman spreads the news of the birth of a Saviour and there is great rejoicing among the crowd. This is interrupted by the sudden and terrifying appearance of Herod who demands that the Wise Men be made to explain their mission. Calchas the Herald brings them before him and he learns that a Child has been born who will be King over all the World. Herod pretends to be sympathetic, but when they have gone he rages against the Child and vows to kill Him.

Choral Interlude: 'The Seven Joys of Mary' Scene 2: The Stable at Bethlehem. The Wise Men present their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Angel Gabriel warns of Herod's evil intentions and the Wise Men take heed. As the angels sing their paean of praise Mary and Joseph set out for the safety of Egypt.

GABRIEL: Hail Mary, full of grace, Our Lord God is with thee! Above all woman that ever was, Lady, blessed may thou be!

MARY: Almighty Father and King of Bliss, From all deceits O save me now! For inwardly my spirit troubled is, I am amazed, and know not how.

GABRIEL: Dread thee nothing, maiden, of this. From heaven hither am I sent Of embassage from the King of Bliss Unto the Virgin reverent. Saluting thee here as most excellent, Whose virtue above all doth abound; Wherefore in thee grace shall be found, For thou shalt conceive this hour anigh The Second Person of God on high. He will be born of thee alone, Without sin thou shalt Him see. Thy grace and goodness will never be gone, But ever live in virginity.

MARY: I marvel sore how that may be — Man's company knew I never yet, Nor never to do cast I me While that our Lord sendeth me wit!

GABRIEL: The Holy Ghost on thee shall light, And endue thy soul so with virtue. These words are sent from our Father high, These words so strange and true.

MARY: Now an it be the Lord's will of my body to be, His high pleasure for to fulfil I submit me.

GABRIEL: Now blessed be the time set That thou wast born in thy degree, For now is the knot surely knit And God conceived in Trinity. Now farewell, lady of most might, Unto the Godhead thee I commit.

MARY: The Lord thee guide in thy way of light And bring me safe to the end of it.

Act 1 No 03. Scene 1 The home of Joseph and Mary at Nazareth: Mary, my wife so dear, how do ye (Joseph/Mary)

JOSEPH: Mary, my wife so dear, how do ye, And what cheer is with you this tide?

MARY: Truly, husband, I am here the Lord's will to abide.

JOSEPH: What? I trow we be all shent! Say, woman, who hath been here since I went?

MARY: Sir? No one hath been here or anigh — Only an angel of God on high.

JOSEPH: Say not so, woman, for shame, let be! Ye be with child so wondrous great, Ye need no more thereof To treat against all right. But in faith, Mary, thou'rt in sin. So much as I have cherished thee and all thy kin, Behind my back to serve me thus!

(Heartbroken, Joseph leaves.)

Now, farewell, Mary, I leave thee here alone, Woe worth thee dame and thy works each one! For I no more will be beguiled for friend or foe. Now of this deed I am so dull No farther may I go.

Act 1 No 04. Scene 1 The home of Joseph and Mary at Nazareth: Arise, Joseph, and go home again (Gabriel)

GABRIEL: Arise, Joseph, and go home again To Mary thy wife that is so free. To comfort her look that thou be fain, For a clean maiden is she. She hath conceived without any trayne The Second Person in Trinity. Jesu shall be his name, certainly; And all the world save shall He. Be not aghast!

Act 1 No 05. Scene 1 The home of Joseph and Mary at Nazareth: Now, Lord, I thank thee with heart full sad (Joseph/Mary)

JEM: 0 God that art in Trinity, Who seest all my sheep and me, 1 know not where my fellows be The night it is so cold. 'Tis nigh the middest of the night, These weathers are dark and dim o' light That of them I can have no sight, Standing here on this mould. But now to make their hearts light, Now will I full right Stand upon this loe And to them cry with all my might (Full well my voice they know). What ho, fellows! Ho, ho, hallo!

(He is joined by Dave and Sym.)

DAVE: Hark, Sym, hark! I hear our brothers on the loe, That be Jem's voice right well I know. Therefore towards him let us go And follow his voice aright. See, Sym, see where he doth stand, I am right glad we have him found.

DAVE: Brother, where hast thou been so long? And it is so cold this night.

JEM: 0 friends, there came a peerie o' wind, Wi' a mist suddenly, That forth o'my ways went I. And a great heaviness then made I, And was so sore affright. Then for to go I wist not whither, But travelled on this hill hither and thither. I was so weary of this cold weather That near passed was my might.

SYM: Brothers, we now be past that fright And it's far within the night — Full soon will spring the daylight. It draweth full near the tide. Here awhile let us rest And repast us of the best, Till that the sun rise in the East Let us all here abide.

(A great star appears in the heavens.)

SYM: Brothers, look up and behold! What thing is yonder that shineth so bright? Ah, now is come the joyful time Our fathers unto us have told; That in the winter's night so cold A child of maiden born should be And so fulfil the prophecy.

JEM, DAVE, SYM: Truth it be, 'tis truth without a nay As said the prophet Isaye, A child is born of a maid so bright In winter on the shortest day, In the middest of the night. Loved be God most of might That I see this sight. Pray to Him as it is right If that His Will it be, That we His wonder may know, To Him let all our praises flow On earth while that we be.

ANGELS: Gloria in excelsis Deo!

SYM: Hark, they sing above the clouds clear!

JEM: Heard I never so merry a choir.

DAVE: Now, gentle brothers, Let us draw a-near to hear their harmony.

Act 1 No 08. Scene 2 A Moor at Night: The stars of the morning shall dance and sing (Angels/Sym/Dave/Jem)

ANGELS: The stars of the morning shall dance and sing, This night shall be born a heavenly King. He neither shall be born in housen nor in hall, Nor in the place of Paradise, but in an ox's stall. He neither shall be clothed in purple nor in pall, But all in fair linen as are babies all. He neither shall be rocked in silver, nor in gold, But in a wooden cradle that rocks on the mould He neither shall be christened in white wine nor red, But with spring water with which we were christened. The world shall be like the stones in the street, For the sun and the moon shall bow down at his feet; And upon a Wednesday his vow will he make, And upon a Friday his death will he take, And upon the third day his Rising shall be, And the sun and the moon shall rise up to see. Gloria in excelsis Deo!

SYM: Brothers, mirth and solace has come with us among, For, by the sweetness of their song, God's Son has come whom we have looked for long, As telleth this star that we do see.

DAVE: Glory, glory in the highest — That was their song. How say ye, fellows?

JEM: That is well said. Now go we hence to worship the child in the stall And that we may sing in his presence Peace on the earth to all!

TRIO: As I rode out this enders night, Of three jolly shepherds I saw a sight. About their fold a star shone bright. They sang terli, terlo. They sang terli, terlo. So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.

MARY: Lullay, lullay, lullay, so softly sleeping there. It aches my heart to see thee lie With covering thin and spare, To see thee there so poor and bare, A King upon the hay. But hush thy wail, I will not fail To sing lullay, lullay.

(Joseph enters.)

MARY: Ah Joseph, husband, My child that is born the King of Bliss!

JOSEPH: Now welcome to me, the maker of men With all the homage that I can.

MARY: Ah, Joseph, husband, my child waxeth cold And we have no fire to warm him with.

JOSEPH: Nay, he is warm, Mary — The breathing of the beasts hath warmed him I wis!

MARY: But let them not come too nigh!

MARY: Now, sweetest Lord, I pray, Since thou art most of might, I pray thee, grant a boon to me (If it be meet and right) That child and man who will or can Be merry on this day, To bliss them bring, and I shall sing Lullay, lullay, lullay.

(The Shepherds approach the stable.)

Act 1 No 11. Scene 3 The Stable at Bethlehem: As down from Heaven, from Heaven so high (Shepherds/Angels/Jem/Dave/Sym/Mary)

SHEPHERDS: As down from Heaven, from Heaven so high Of angels came a great company. With mirth and joy and very great glee, They sang terli, terli, terlo, So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.

ANGELS: Gloria in excelsis Deo!

JEM: Hail! Mary, mother and wife so mild. As the angel said, so have we found. I have nothing to give the child but my pipe. Hold, take into thy hand! Much pleasure in it have I found. And now, to honour thy glorious birth Thou shalt have it to make thee mirth In all the world around.

SYM: Hail! Be thou Lord over water and lands! For thy Coming all we may make mirth. Have here my mittens to put on thy hands. Other treasure have I none to present thee with.

ANGELS: Gloria in excelsis Deo!

MARY: Now, herdsmen kind, For your Coming to my child, shall I pray, As He is Heaven's King, to grant you His blessing And to His bliss may ye wend at your last day.

(The Shepherds take their leave.)

SHEPHERDS: And mid the straw a babe is lain, The King of Heav'n is born again, And peace has come to earthly men, So sing terli, terlo. So sing terli, terlo. So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.

(An open place in Jerusalem; the door of Herod's palace in the background. The Wise Men enter one by one)

ZARATHUSTRA: Now blessed be God of his sweet sonde, For yonder a bright star I do see; Now is He come us among As the prophet said that it should be. He said there should a babe be born Coming of the root of Jesse, To save mankind that was forlorn, And truly now come is He.

NUBAR: Out of my way I deem I am, For tokens of this country can I none see! Now God, that on earth madest man, Send me some knowledge where that I be. Yonder, methinks, a star I see, Telling of the birthday of a little child Hither has come to set us all free Born of a maiden and she not defiled! To worship that child is my intent. Forth will I go up on my way, Ohe lalula, Ohe lalay. Yonder I see one travel upon the way; I trust some company God has sent Hark, noble sir, into what coast will ye tide, Or whither lies your journey?

ZARATHUSTRA: To seek a child is my intent, The hour is come now he is sent. Of whom the prophets all have meant, By yonder star you may see.

NUBAR: Brother, I pray you, by your license, Now will I go with you into his presence. I will offer him gold kingly, For head of all peoples he shall be. But see, hither comes another traveller!

MERLIN: Sirs, I pray ye and that right humbly That I may fare in your company.

ZARATHUSTRA: Good Sir, I pray you, whither are ye meant?

MERLIN: I ride wandering in ways wide Over mountains and dales, I wot not where I am. Following yon sight I see afar, As methinks a child, Appearing in a star The which betokens some news, I trow; I trust he be come that shall save us all from woe.

WISE MEN: Let us go then together in company. He grant us grace by yonder star And into his place to bring us all three That we may worship in humility, May worship and see his form and glorious face. To worship the child is my intent. Forth will I go upon my way, Ohe lalula, Ohe lalay.

(The Wise Men leave. A crowd begins to assemble.)

Act 2 No 2. Scene 1 An open place in Jerusalem: News, news, wonderful marvels! (Believer/Unbeliever/Women/Children/Calchas)

UNBELIEVER: Now heartily, M'am, I desire to know What manner of thing?

BELIEVER: It were mystical to your hearing: Of a King …

UNBELIEVER: A King? What king? King Herod?

BELIEVER: Nay, a King from that royal palace, The Home of Heavenly Wisdom, The second Prince and God's own Son For our sakes man has become!

CHORUS: A glad and wonderful marvel! Wonderly she tells her marvel!

UNBELIEVER: A wonderful marvel, And far doth excel all our capacity!

BELIEVER: Ah, trust it well! This godly sphere descended here Into a virgin clear: She undefiled in that work Wherein our frail nature is beguiled.

UNBELIEVER: What? Hath she a child?

BELIEVER: And nevertheless is she a maid Even as she was — Ah, trust it well! — And her Son is the King of Israel!

UNBELIEVER: Ma'am, upon the Deity I believe perfectly Impossible to be, there is nothing. Howbeit this work unto me is dark.

BELIEVER: What more reproof is unto belief Than to be doubting?

A WOMAN: My child hath told me of this thing, Some fellow at the fair was telling of it.

ANOTHER WOMAN: Yes, and they are making songs of it. Hark now!

CHILDREN: I saw three ships come sailing by, Come sailing by, come sailing by. I saw three ships come sailing by On Christmas Day in the morning.

And who do you think were in the ships? In the ships, in the ships? And who do you think were in the ships, But Joseph and his fair Lady.

And he did whistle and she did sing, And all the bells on earth did ring, For joy our Saviour Christ was born On Christmas Day in the morning.

UNBELIEVER: Yet I beseech you heartily That ye would show me how this news were brought to you.

BELIEVER: The other night so cold Hereby upon a wold Shepherds watching their fold in the night so far, To them appeared a star And ever it drew them far; And then they did behold Angels thousandfold!

with chorus Forth they went and glad they were And going did they sing. With mirth and joy they made good cheer For joy of that new tiding. And after, as I heard them tell, He rewarded them full well; He gave them Heav'n wherein to dwell. In are they gone with joy and mirth, And their song it is Nowell …

CHORUS AND BELIEVER: The first Nowell the angels did say Unto certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay, In fields as they lay minding their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

They looked up and saw a star In the east shing bright above them far, And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.

Neither in halls, nor yet in bowers, born would he not be, Neither in castles nor towers that seemly were to see. Nowell. Nowell.

Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord. Nowell, Nowell. Born is the King Emmanuel.

CHILDREN: And who d'ye think were in the ships? But Joseph and his fair Lady. And he did whistle and she did sing, And all the bells on earth did ring, For joy our Saviour Christ was born On Christmas Day in the morning.

(Calchas the Herald emerges from Herod 's palace.)

CALCHAS: Peace, I command you! Silence, while your noble king is in presence. Let no person stint to pay him deference, For he your king hath all puissance. In the name of the law I command you, Peace! And King Herod — the devil take him!

Act 2 No 3. Scene 1 An open place in Jerusalem: I am he who reigns king in Judea and Israel (Herod/Chorus of slaves/Calcahs)

(The door of the palace opens, revealing Herod and his court in all their splendour.)

HEROD: I am he who reigns king in Judea and Israel, And the mightiest conqueror That ever walked on ground!

CHORUS OF SLAVES: Hail, great Herod, King of the World!

HEROD: I am he who reigns in Judea and Israel, The mightiest lord and Kaiser that ever walked on ground! For I am even he who made both heaven and hell And of my mighty power holdeth up this world round. From Jupiter by descent And cousin to the great God, And name the most renowned King Herod.

CHORUS OF SLAVES: Hail, great Herod, King of the World!

HEROD: Go now, Calchas my herald, Suffer not the beggars to crowd at my gates; Nor no stranger to pass through my realm, But for their truage they do pay marks five.

CALCHAS: Hail, Lord most of might! Thy commandment is right And the word is that into thy land has come this night Three wizards!

HEROD: What make those wizards in this country?

CALCHAS: To seek a king and child they say.

HEROD: Of what age should he be?

CALCHAS: Scant twelve days fully.

HEROD: Was he so late born?

CALCHAS: Yea, sir, so the people say; and they are fain to sing of a Saviour now born in a stable who shall be greater than all the kings of the earth.

HEROD: Now in pain of death Bring them me beforn! Look that thou bring them all three before my sight. And in Jerusalem enquire more of that child. But I warn thee, let thy words be mild. For there take thou thy heed, and craft thereto His power to for-do, That those wizards be beguiled. Now, speed forth hastily And look that thou bear thee evenly, And see that thou do commend me both to young and old!

(Calchas goes to fetch the Wise Men.)

CHORUS OF SLAVES: Hail, great Herod, King of the World!

Act 2 No 4. Scene 1 An open place in Jerusalem: Hail, Lord without a peer! (Calchas/Herod/Zarathustra/Chorus of slaves)

CALCHAS: Hail, Lord without a peer! These three wizards have we brought.

HEROD: Now welcome, sirs! Of all my splendour abash ye nought; As I understand, A star hath guided you into my land, Wherein great wonder ye have found. Wherefore I pray you heartily The very truth that you would certify, How long is it since it appear'd in the west?

ZARATHUSTRA: Sir King, the very truth say we: Have thou no fear for thine or thee! The star has given nor say nor sign Of earthly child, but a child divine. Long stayed I with a people wild Teaching them laws beyond their need; Now in thy realm is born the child, My laws have neither help nor heed.

HEROD: Sir! there is no more to say, But with heart and will Keep ye your journey. And come home again this same way, Of your news that I may know; You shall triumph in this country, And with great concord banquet with me. And that child myself then will I see, And honour him also. Now adieu, wise lords! And while I live be bold of me There is nothing in this country but for your own ye shall it take.

(The Wise Men take their leave.)

Unwisely and unwittingly have they spoken … 'No earthly child but a child divine!' He that setteth up his power on earth, Be he earthly or divine, Be he King or be he Kaiser, Be he never so brave and bold, If he offend my greatness, And against my laws do hold, Him shall I cast into sorrow and pain, Into tortures and cares cold And e'en to death shall bring! Such is my law and liking, And of the whole world I am King.

SLAVES: Hail, great Herod, King of the world!

Act 2 No 5: Choral Interlude 'The Seven Joys of Mary'
The first great joy that Mary had

The first great joy that Mary had, It was the joy of one: To see her own son Jesus To suck at her breast bone. To suck at her breast bone, dear Lord, How happy may you be. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost To all eternity.

The second joy that Mary had It was the joy of two: To see her own son Jesus To make the lame to go. To make the lame to go, dear Lord, How happy may you be. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost To all eternity.

The third great joy that Mary had It was the joy of three: To make the blind to see. To make the blind to see, good Lord, How happy may you be. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost To all eternity.

The next great joy that Mary had It was the joy of four: To see her own son Jesus To read the Bible o'er. To read the Bible o'er, dear Lord, How happy may you be. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost To all eternity.

The next great joy that Mary had It was the joy of fìve: To see her own son Jesus Raising the dead to life. Raising the dead to life, dear Lord, How happy may you be. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost To all eternity.

The next great joy that Mary had It was the joy of six: To see her own son Jesus Upon the crucifix. Upon the crucifix, dear Lord, How happy may you be. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghostv To all eternity.

The last great joy that Mary had, It was the joy of seven: To see her own son Jesus Ascending into Heaven. Ascending into Heaven, dear Lord, How happy may you be. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost To all eternity.

Act 2 No 6. Scene 2 The Stable: A nëwe year, a nëwe year (Mary/Joseph)

MARY: A newë year, a newë year, A man-child is yborn, Us for to savyn That all was forlorn. Lullay, lullay, my little child, Mine own dear food. How shalt thou sufferin Be nailed to the rood! So blyssid be the tyme, So blyssid be the tjone.

JOSEPH: Dear wife, thy words are dark to me And fill me full of fear for thee.

MARY: They come to me a mystery, 'Tis God doth send them unto me.

A newë year, a newë year, I sing alle for thy sake. Many a one the sharpe scar Unto thy body is shape.

Lullay, lullay, mine own dere child I sing all beforn. How shalt thou sufferin the sharp garlong of thorn? So blyssid be the tyme, (with Joseph) So blyssid be the tyme.

THE WISE MEN: Ohe lalula, Ohe lalay. He grant us grace by yonder star And into his place to bring us all three That we may worship in humility, May worship and see His glorious face. To worship that child now is my intent, Forth will I go now upon my way.

ZARATHUSTRA: O blessed God! Where is the star that gave us light?

MERLIN: Yonder, brother, I see the star! Whereby we know He is not far, Therefore go we even now Into this poor place.

NUBAR: Hail, Lord, that all the world hath wrought! Hail, God and man together made one! For thou hast made all thing of nought Albeit that thou liest poorly here. A cup of gold here I have thee brought, In tokening thou art without a peer!

MERLIN: Hail be Thou, Lord long looked-for! I bring thee myrrh for mortality In tokening thou shalt mankind restore To life by thy death upon a tree.

ZARATHUSTRA: Hail be Thou, the Lord of all! The child of ages are yet to be. I fall on knee thy face to see, And all my heart I yield to thee. Reverence and worship to thee will I do, To thee who all my wisdom brings to naught. Now to thee I offer the incense I have brought, For it behoveth ever me.

MARY: God have mercy, sirs, of your goodness, By the guiding of the Godhead, hither are ye sent.

MERLIN: Holy mayden, blyssid be! Godde's Son is born of thee. The Father of Heaven worship we, Regina coeli laetare!

GABRIEL: Hail, Lord of land and sea, Blessed shalt thou ever be! Mary and Joseph, to you I say Word from the Father I bring full right, Forth into Egypt go ye away, And take the babe with you this night. So unto you, ye wise men three, To you also am I sent. For dread of Herod you must go flee, For he some harm to you hath meant. Now farewell, Baby of most might, Unto the Godhead all I commit.

MARY: The Lord thee guide in thy way of light (all) And bring us safe to the end of it.

THE WISE MEN: Now farewell, fairest of shape so sweet, Thine be thanks that we three meet, And thanked be Jesus of his will He that made us meet on hill, That dwell so wide and in a strange land. And now farewell, Mary, in thy jesseyne, And now farewell, Sir Joseph, to you. May we have grace in Heaven to meet Together all again. Now may we go without any ill. And farewell, Mary, good mother mild, And farewell, Joseph, good Sir, to you. Farewell, Holy Family! Farewell to you all, May God be with ye!

MARY: And farewell noble sirs all three, Of my child's blessings may you be free.

JOSEPH: Farewell noble sirs all three. Of God's high blessings be you free.

Act 2 No 9. Scene 2 The Stable: So gracious, so precious in royaltie (Wise Men/Joseph/Mary/Angels)

THE WISE MEN: So gracious, so precious in royaltie, Thus gentle, thus good, thus finde we, There is none such in none countree. Regina coeli laetare!

JOSEPH: Rise up Mary, hastily and soon, As the Angel bade, To Egypt let us repair.

MARY: Truly, Joseph, in Egypt some token of house God give us grace to find there. Lullay, lullay, my little child, Why weepest thou so sore? Thou art both in God and man, What wouldest thou be more?

BOTH: So blyssid be the tyme, So blyssid be the tyme.

MARY: A newë year, a newë year, A man-child is yborn, Us for to savyn That all was forlorn. Lullay, lullay, my little child, Mine own dear food. How shalt thou sufferin Be nailed to the rood! So blyssid be the tyme, So blyssid be the tyme.

JOSEPH: And now to Egypt must we wend, And be so full of toil and care And this sweet place to leave behind, God wot the while how we should fare?

CHORUS AND ANGELS: And upon a Wednesday his vow will he make, And upon a Friday his death will he take, And upon the third day his Rising shall be, And the sun and the moon shall rise up to see. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria Deo!